Sunday, November 6, 2011

I bet you would love to hear about Margaret’s Excellent Adventure, made possible by… YOU!

The fruit of your tweeting, Facebooking, emails, blogging, calling, begging, and of course praying really started bubbling up a few days ago. Friends of friends (and a sorority sister!) who work for People Magazine in NY woke up before dawn on Halloween, dressed as Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice to try to win tickets for Margaret. Oh yes they did. Hats and all! They got plucked out of the audience and got to go back stage to plead Margaret’s case to anyone who would listen. Incredible!

Others reached out to a friend, an amazing woman and exec at NBC, who generously gave Margaret 2 VIP tickets for the Nov 23 Bieber Today show concert!

We even had phone messages from our local news station wanting to know what was up with all of those tweets! Your campaign certainly got noticed.

So while I was processing this exciting info, and LOVING how you were loving on my little girl, I got another call. The best friend of the sister of a woman who lived in our town until a year ago (are you following?) and who grew up a few streets away from our house, spent the weekend arranging THIS:

Tickets for the 3 of us to attend the American Music Awards in LA where Justin Bieber will be performing! Oh yes. Airfare and hotel, too! And if possible, a meet and greet —all courtesy of Coca-Cola, who puts on the show. Wow.

So I went from “Will I shower before work today?” to having the words: “Today Show, People Magazine, Dick Clark, AMA’s and Justin Bieber” spinning in my head. Oh my.

I decided it was time to clue Margaret in on all of this, for I do not believe that a complete surprise is the right approach given the shock she has endured losing Jack so suddenly.

She, of course, was THRILLED THRILLED THRILLED, and when I told her the two awesome opportunities-- the Today Show and the AMA's-- she said, “Can I do both?” Yeah, it took her about a millisecond to get used the idea of traveling the country and seeing Justin, her main man, perform not once but twice! However, we made her choose and she chose the AMA’s because she’s never been to CA before. In fact, she hasn’t been on a plane since she was 3 years old.

YOU did this.

Your phone calls, your tweets, your prayers, your willingness to reach out on Facebook and through your blogs to a family you may only have heard about in the “virtual” world…every little bit made a difference. Whether or not your phone call or email was the one that secured these awesome opportunities, you extended yourself to try to bring some excitement, some distraction, and some pleasure at a time of deep mourning.

And you know what? Margaret was not surprised. Sure, she was VERY surprised that her heartfelt shopping list would lead to her getting to hear JB perform. But when I told her everything YOU had done to make it happen, she was happy, but not surprised. Living in a world where people care about and help each other did not surprise her one bit, and for that I am even more grateful. YOUdid that.

It was a generous outpouring of love from people who, to a large extent, have probably felt pretty helpless in regards to our little family, especially since no one can give us what we truly want and need-- Jack back here with us. I will never be able to know every detail of what each person has done for us or be able to thank you adequately, but please know what you have done has touched us deeply.

When I’m going through hell, and unfortunately that it what it feels like most days, I’m so glad you are on my side.

...

So in a few weeks, look for us on the red carpet! I’ll be the dazed one with gray roots on my head and gratefulness in my heart for people I may or may not ever meet. Margaret will be the one flashing her tin grin, with purple braces for JB, of course.

99 comments:

Hallelujah! (Hey, I love that song. Maybe Bieber will cover it?) This is amazing news. I'm so happy for Margaret and I know the people who love you and worked so hard calling on any and everyone are going to be justifiably proud of themselves. While I'm disappointed you won't be coming to my old hometown, I think Margaret made the right choice -- spinning her list into a genuine vacation. Red carpet, baby! (I suggest the coalition now move on to solving the Mideast crisis.)

On another note, we had a remembrance service in our Methodist church today, for those we have lost in our congregation and otherwise. Jack was on my mind and on my heart and prayers for your family poured from my lips.

I know she'd give it all back in a heartbeat for Jack. But I'm grateful she, and by extension you, have something to make you smile these days, a healing balm of love to help ease the pain in your hearts. I think of you all often and pray for you to find strength and support in the most difficult but mundane parts of the day - sometimes they are the hardest.

From a mom in Mozambique, who doesn't personally know you but feels your pain and wishes somehow these inadequate words hold you up just a bit more steady today.

And especially, big hugs to Margaret, who I worry about traveling on this road of grief. Thankfully she has awesome parents to carry her through and a God who will wipe away every tear.

Wow!! Such wonderful news!! I am so excited for Margaret!! I must say though I am just as excited for you to see her so happy! What a blessing. I pray this memory will bring you all joy for a long time to come.

Just when we feel like we have seen some of the worst of mankind we are fortunate enough to be swept away by the sheer GOODNESS of people. God bless all of you in your travels...and I hope that baby girl loves her special treat. It is something she will remember all her life.

My thougths go to you during the strangest times of day..to a woman I have never met, will probably never meet, but feel I know as only one Mom can know another. xo Diana

Oh my! I have been, for whatever varied purpose, offline for about a month, so I've missed this, but I just spent time catching up, and I am speechless with happiness for your Margaret and your family! What an amazing, wonderful world out there, working to boost that beautiful smile! I'm so very happy! I (secretly) have some Justin Bieber songs on my iPod, but check it - next time they come up in the rotation, I'm rolling the windows down and cranking up the volume, and singing along, all for Margaret and her grand adventure!

I was confident that this would come about--so I am not surprised, either. So many good hearts and clever hands were working to do this for her and for you that it was sure to happen. I am super happy for everyone, especially Margaret. She's going to have a blast. And of course, Jack is thrilled for her.

The power of the human spirit demonstrates in all its sentimental glory (yes, I teared up) what we can and will do for others we may not even know outside the blogs and twitter feeds and Tumbler. Yet we do come thru for each other—over and over and over again.

This is a physical manifestation of all the love, good wishes and prayers for you and your family. There are so very, very many people thinking about you, willing you on. You have a network of well-wishers that spans the globe. Bad days, good days, inbetween days... just keep putting one foot in front of the other and remember that you are never alone.

Love that her immediate response was wanting to do both! Such a teen girl (or maybe even woman since I am 40 and think it probably would have been my first response as well). This has just made my whole day! Way to go everyone and I hope you, your hubby and most of all Margaret have the most Excellent Adventure! :)

I have learned in the last year that Twitter can be amazingly powerful. I was able to witness first hand, the one or two tweets per day, in the beginning of the "Margaret Movement" and then just continuing to see it grow and grow, and the momentum pick up.

I am so happy to hear that the power of social media can have such a great impact on Miss Margaret. I played such a small part in that role, but feel a great sense of pride that we were able to make it happen!

Wow! So happy for Margaret! Thank you Lord for people who love extravagantly during a time when you need to feel that touch of love.So glad you all will have some joyful memories in the midst of all the difficult days.

oh my goodness... amazing - and so happy for you and Margaret... Jack will be with you that night - i hope you know that... have a great time and one day at a time for the other stuff... Love xoxo Patty

Anna, What a thrill to read this. I love your heart -your joy and gratitude over this adventure and your willingness to share the true horror of living without Jack. The Light-- the Jesus -- that you reflect in your writing is such a tremendous encouragement. I am awed and inspired each time I read your blog, and I am praying this morning for all three of you.

Words cannot express how thrilled I am for all of you! And the fact that Margaret still has such faith in humanity that she was not surprised by strangers' kindness makes this story that much sweeter. I cannot wait to hear all about her (and your) adventures!

All I can say is WOOOOHOOOOOO, Alleluia, AMEN!!! THIS IS THE MOST AWESOME NEWS I HAVE HEARD IN AWHILE!!! God Bless all 3 of you, and what a special trip you will have! I will definately be watching and so will many others - smiling ear to ear. Amazing people in this world! So glad the world has come together to help you through this difficult time and provide a day/evening of sunshine and excitement to all 3 of you. Enjoy!

And after days of rain...feeling a bit of sunshine upon your face!!! AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! or should I say....BABY BABY BABY OHHHHH!:) The Lord allowing Jack to give gifts...how cool is that!:) Escape..enjoy and bathe in these moments of hope! Lifting you and yours up...Will look for your beautiful faces...roots and all:) on the red carpet...Blessings, Melanie in NC..Originally a CA girl!:)

What the Johnny?? It worked! I knew it would..the power of tweets and Facebook know no bounds! Although it can't bring your, I mean OUR Jack back...it will give Margaret something to smile about! And to have such faith that it would happen just soothes the soul! Can't wait to look out for you! Enjoy and breathe! From you friend in Miami Beach!NEVER SAY NEVER!

I am overjoyed about this, though, like you, I am not surprised. Tweeting and Facebooking and blogging about Margaret's grocery list and trying to get Justin Bieber on board was something we all wanted to do because we wanted to help you and your family in even the smallest of ways. I will be watching the show and looking for you in the audience. :)

So excited for you all! I am glad Margaret is going to see Justin Bieber and maybe even meet him! We think of and pray for you all often; we imagine that your pain is immeasurable. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. May the Lord continue to comfort you and your family.

YAAAYYYYYY!!! I'm just reading this and so happy this is happening for you after what you've endured. I can't imagine what your family has gone through but I Amos glad Margaret has something to lift her spirits.

Anna, do you ever play music at home? It has wonderfully healing, mood-lifting powers. Some classic motown or swingin' Sinatra while you're making Saturday morning breakfast with Margaret. Some Jack Johnson while you guys play a game. A soundtrack to one of your absolute favorite movies? Chicken soup for your ears.

On those days/nights when the house seems too quiet or the drone of the tv starts to wear on you, turn on some tunes. There is a song out there for your every mood and every emotion.

Possessor of roots perpetually in need of a touch up, Anna lives with her two delightfully imperfect children, a charmingly imperfect husband, and a disobedient dog. Her nest is feathered with found objects in need of love. She is a dabbler, skilled in no particular area, but she strives to do more good than harm and live a life of simple faith. Some days are better than others.